We adopted a 5- to 7-year-old female Dalmatian about a year ago. She has a panic attack every time she hears a loud noise. We have tried hugging her and talking calmly to her, but to no avail. Unfortunately, we live close to a military base and loud booms

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Q. We adopted a 5- to 7-year-old female Dalmatian about a year ago. She has a panic attack every time she hears a loud noise. We have tried hugging her and talking calmly to her, but to no avail. Unfortunately, we live close to a military base and loud booms are frequent. What can we do?

A. While some animals don’t seem to be bothered by noise, others have what’s called a noise phobia and become very frightened and act in strange, unpredictable ways. Certain cats and dogs have full-blown anxiety attacks. Symptoms of anxiety include shaking, trembling, barking, howling, drooling, attempting to hide, refusing to eat, and trying to leap a fence or escape from an enclosure, yard, or home. Many animals end up lost, hurt, or seriously injured. Unlike humans, animals have an acute sense of hearing, and unexpected loud noises can trigger an attack. Even pets that haven’t reacted in the past, or haven’t reacted in years, can suddenly become fearful or anxious. Older pets may be even more sensitive to loud noises. Animal shelters see a huge increase in strays around fourth of July because of this. Dogs and cats will panic and bolt through doors, windows, or other enclosures, trying to run from the noise. It is absolutely critical that all pets have some form of current identification on them at all times, especially if your pet has a noise phobia. It seems contradictory, but do not stroke, pet, or reassure your cat or dog when they are nervous or frightened. This can actually reinforce their anxious behavior and make it worse. Instead, distract your nervous pets by playing with them or keeping them active doing something they enjoy. It’s safest to keep them indoors in a small, sheltered area where they cannot hurt themselves. Turn on the TV or radio to help muffle the loud noises or have calming music playing. Be sure to include their favorite toys, beds, food, and water and try spending more time with them, again distracting them with playtime. Do not leave pets outside unattended. Even dogs that are tied up can get hurt trying to escape by chewing, choking, or strangling themselves on their leashes. If you take your pet outside, make sure they have a sturdy leash or are secured in a carrier. In addition, you may want to use sedatives or tranquilizers, in addition to behavior modification, to help calm their nerves and keep them from injuring themselves. Most veterinarians require your pet to have had a physical exam within the six-month period prior to prescribing tranquilizers.

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